Lescott was tipped to help tighten Alan Irvine’s side at the back, with his Premier League title-winning experience set to prove invaluable.

It has, however, been a season of struggle for West Brom – who have now lost four on the bounce – with memories of Champions League football and lifting major honours beginning to fade for their 32-year-old centre-half.

Lescott said in the Birmingham Mail following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United: “I’m like the rest of the lads, we knew it was going to be tough. But I didn’t come here to fight relegation.

“But if it needs to be we’ll dig deep for the next two months and get clear, hopefully we can do that.

“It’s a new test, but something I’m enjoying but I don’t like losing, I hate it to be honest.

“I don’t even like to use the word hate. But I’m playing every week, I’m feeling good and strong, and I want to help the team.

Leaks have been sprung, though, with seven goals conceded during the recent run of reversals.

Irvine has seen pressure mount on his shoulders on the back of a sorry sequence of results and he needs experienced figures such as Lescott to step up to the plate and start inspiring those around them.

Chris Burton

Chris is a freelance journalist with a passion for all major sports. He has spent much of his career to date focusing on the wonderful world of football, across all levels. He has also had the pleasure of interviewing a diverse mix of sportsmen and women – including Gareth Bale, Frank Lampard, Xabi Alonso, Marcel Desailly, Roy Hodgson, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny Wilkinson, Nicola Adams and Ed Clancy.